Trace-chain hook



Nov. 19, 1929.

c. D. TURLINGTON TRACE QHAIN HOOK Filed Aug. 21, 1928 3mm! 61E 7irliny Z01:

Patented Nov. 19, 1922s CHARLES D. TURLINGTGN, oF LiLLms ron, NORTH sanctum, AssIGNon or own-HALF 'IO nnnnsrr. YOUNG, or D NN, nort'rncnnornm warren-CHAIN HQOK Application filed August 21, "1928. Serial no. 301,045.

This invention relates to harness and particularly to a hook or application to the back band of the harness for the purpose of supf porting the trace chain.

The general object of the invention is to provide a trace chain supporting hook which may be readily applied to the backhand and is so constructed that it will offer no obstruction or projection which is likely to rub or gall the animal.

A further object is to provide a back band hook which may be detachably engagedwith any one of the links of the trace chaln so as to permit the back hand to be adqusted nearer to or further from the crupper and the hook to engage with the trace chain at any adjusted point.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which, when in use, cannot accidentally open to release the trace cha n.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein, j

Figure 1 is a face view of a back strap with my trace chain support and latch attached thereto; l V

Figure 2 is a rear elevation ofthe trace chain support;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view thereof; and

Figure 4 is a side elevation thereof.

Referring to these drawings it will be seen that the back band hook comprises a body designated generally 10, and formed of two end walls 11 and with a front downwardly and rearwardly curved wall 12. The upper ends of the end wall above the upper edge ofthe front wall 12 are connected by a transverse bar 13 afi'ording means whereby a can- 1 vas or leather loop may he engaged with the hook to support the hook. V

The front wall 12 is carried downward and rearward to the rear of the hook and has cast integrally thereon the tra ce chain supporting loop 14:. Y The rear wall of thls loop extends straight downward from the body and this rear wall of the loop is vertically slotted at .15. This slot extends downward to the lowest portion of the loop and extends up through the bottom or lower wall of the body 10, which lower wall is formedby the inward extension or the front wall 12.

Disposeclh-loetween the endfwalls llfand forming-therear wall of the hollow body is a plate 16 having outwardly projecting ears 17 which fit against thelendi walls of the bo y and which are pivotedthereto bymeans'of a pivot pin 18. Formed integrally with this plate 16 isa tongue 19 which when closed fills up the slot 15, the outer face of this tongue 19 conforming in curvature to the curvature ofthe loop 14. This tongue is pro-,

vided above its lower end with 'aninwardly.

projecting tooth 20 which when the tongue is closed into the slot 15 approximates the front wall or outer wall'of the 100 3114. Surrounding the pivot 18 is a coil spring 21 formed of a single piece of wire, the middle thereof being formed to providea bight por-, t1on22 'which bears against the front wall 11.

The ends of thewire extend upward against the plate 16 adjacentits upper edge. The shank'of the ton ue 19 extends upward above the lower edgetof the plateso as toIform a rib between the two coils of wire. The spring'urges the tongue 19 into place flush with the exterior face ofthe loop 14:.

It will be Seen that whenthis device is'in' use it ispreferablyattachedto the back band A or" the harness by means of aloop Bot leather, canvas or the like passing around thecross bar. 18. V Th'e'back band hook being perfectlyflat and smooth on its inside face has no proje'ctionwhich can frub' against the: v I l/Vhen the trace chain islplacedthrough the loop l4 it is en-. gagedbythe tooth'ZO and the strain on the trace chain keeps' t'heinner face of, the tracev chain hook lying flat against 'theanimal so,

animal 7 and" form a sore;

thatthereis lie-possible chance'for thetongue 19 to accidentally open, thisbeing further 1 prevented by the action of the spring 21. When it is desired ,toopenthe tongue and release thet'ooth 20 from engagernentwith the tra'cechain eitherto entirely-remove the trace chain or adjust it, this maybe readily V doneby engaging the finger nail with the extremity of the tongue 19 and pulling outward on the loop 14 and pushing inward on the end of the tongue, thus relatively retracting the tooth from projecting through the loop. V This device supports the trace chain and prevents it from getting slack, and by adjusting the trace chain within the loop the plow or other implement being pulled may to a large extent be'controlled. Thus byshortening the chain between the loop or hook the plow has a tendency to pull the point of the plow up and thus secureshallow plowing, and by increasing this distance, deeper plowing may:-

V be secured.

'It will be understood that the back band is also to'be adjusted nearer to or further from the horses crupper and that'this will change, of course, the angle of the trace with regard to the plow and that the'baok band'isheld in this relation to the trace by the engagement of the tooth with the corresponding link on the trace. 7

Preferably the body of my hook or loop and the pivoted plate and tongue will be cast, a

but I do not wish to be limited to this nor to an of the details of construction except as stated int-he accompanying claims.

What I claim iS v v 1. A trace chain hook comprising a hollow body portionhaving a depending loop, the body andthe loop ontheir rear vsides being open, a plate having a odependinginwardly curved'tongue, the plate constituting the rear Wall of the body and being pivoted thereto and "the tongue when closed conforming to and fitting the opening, in the rear portion,

ofjthe loop, the tongue being provided with a forwardly projecting tooth extending acrossthe loop when the t'ongueis closed and adapted to engage a link of the trace chain, and a spring urging said tongue into its position. r V v 2. A tracechain hook comprising a-hollow body openatits rear face and atits upper endhaving a cross bar, the lower end of the body being formed to provide an integrally depending loop,'the-rear portion of the loop being longitudinally slotted down to the lower, end thereof, said slot opening into the body, a plate forming the rear wall of the body and having inwardly projecting ears pivoted to" the end walls ofthe body, the plate having an integral downwardly extending inwardly curved tongue when closed adaptedto fit into theopening in the rear of the loop and conforming to the shaft of the loop, the tongue having a tooth projecting across the loop and adapted toengage a spring within the body urging the tongue to a closed position in the loop.'

In testimony whereof hereunto. aflix 'niy s gnature l V j CHARLES D. TURLINGTON. 

